About 70 miles off the coast of Florida, a cluster of postcard-worthy islands forms one of the most remote and least-visited national parks in the entire country – Dry Tortugas National Park.
If camping under a sky full of stars, snorkeling with stingrays and jellyfish, swimming in crystal-clear turquoise water, and paddling across open ocean to a secluded island sounds like your kind of adventure, it’s time to add Dry Tortugas to your Florida bucket list.
As someone who ferried to the island and explored this beautiful National Park, I am going to share everything you need to know to visit!
In this guide, I will share how to get to the park, info about the different islands, when to go to maximize your trip, where to stay, what to pack, the best things to do, and valuable know-before-you-go tips!
Let’s dive in!
Complete Guide to Exploring Dry Tortugas National Park
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Quick Facts About Dry Tortugas
- Location: Florida, USA
- Established: 1935 (Fort Jefferson National Monument), 1992 (Dry Tortugas National Park)
- Size: 64,700 acres
- Annual Visitors: 89,355 (2025)
- Fee: $15/person for 7 days or FREE with an annual pass
- Visitor Center: Garden Key
Getting to Dry Tortugas
Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat or seaplane.
While you can bring your own boat (permit required) or take a private tour (pricey), the most popular ways to get to the park are by ferry and by seaplane.
By Ferry
The ferry is the cheapest way to get to Dry Tortugas.
While the ferry is the longer option (2.5 hours one way), it is significantly more affordable than the seaplane.
Yankee Freedom Ferry is the only ferry that connects Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. You’ll check in at 7:00 am, depart at 8:00 am, and arrive at the island around 10:30 am. You’ll get to spend about 4 hours in the park before you have to re-board the ferry and head back to Key West at 3:00 pm, where you’ll arrive at the dock around 5:30 pm.
With your $250 ferry ticket, you’ll get entrance into the National Park (save $15/person with a National Parks pass), complimentary breakfast and lunch, free use of snorkel gear, a guided tour around Fort Jefferson, clean restrooms, and access to a galley full of snacks and drinks that are available to purchase during your voyage and island visit.
By Seaplane
The seaplane is the quickest way to get to Dry Tortugas.
The seaplane is much pricier than the ferry, but you’ll get to the island much quicker (just 40 minutes one way).
And it’s more scenic! As you fly over the water, you will be rewarded with wild views. You’ll glimpse colorful coral reefs, eerie shipwrecks, adorable sea turtles, remote keys, and underwater sand dunes.
Key West Seaplane Adventures is the only company that flies to Dry Tortugas National Park. You can choose from a half-day or a full-day trip. Expect to pay around $500 for a half-day and $900 for a full day. Soft drinks and coolers are provided to all passengers.
READ NEXT: Getting to Dry Tortugas: Seaplane or Ferry?
Info About the Different Dry Tortugas Islands
Dry Tortugas National Park is comprised of seven remote islands:
- Garden Key – always open, weather permitting
- Loggerhead Key – always open, weather permitting
- Bush Key – open October through January
- Long Key – always closed to the public
- East Key – always closed to the public
- Hospital Key – always closed to the public
- Middle Key – always closed to the public
Garden Key is the key you will spend most of your time on. It houses the ferry docks and seaplane arrivals, along with the famous Fort Jefferson.
Bush Key is only open from October through January; it remains closed to the public the rest of the year for breeding season. If you get the pleasure of visiting this rarely-trafficked island, be sure to venture over to it. Since most people choose to stay on Garden Key (near the docks and in Fort Jefferson), Bush Key is much quieter.
Loggerhead Key, the largest island in Dry Tortugas, is about 3 miles from Garden Key and requires a boat to access. If you want to paddle to it, you’ll need to purchase a kayak camping permit.
NOTE: The other islands are closed all year.
Know Before You Go
Book your ferry, seaplane, and campsite reservations early. Ferry and seaplane reservations need to be made several weeks (or even several months) in advance while camping reservations should be made six months before your trip date.
Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Private boats are allowed with a permit, but the ferry and seaplane are the two most common ways to get to the National Park. Need help deciding whether you should take the ferry or seaplane? Read my detailed comparison guide!
Not every key on Dry Tortugas is open. Weather permitting, Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park will always be open. Bush Key is only open from October through January. Loggerhead Key is open for daily use by boat – it’s about 3 miles from Garden Key. The other four islands of Dry Tortugas are always closed to the public.
READ NEXT: 7 Key Things to Know Before Visiting Dry Tortugas
When to Visit Dry Tortugas
The most ideal months to visit Dry Tortugas are December through May. Visiting during these months ensures that you avoid hurricane season.
However, if you plan your trip from October through January, you’ll get to explore Bush Key, which is closed the rest of the year for breeding season. Bush Key was honestly one of my favorite experiences on the island!
We chose to visit in January to avoid hurricane season and explore Bush Key!
Where to Stay in Dry Tortugas
There is no lodging inside the park, so you will either have to reserve a campsite in the park or stay outside of the park.
If you’re hoping to be one of the few lucky campers who get to camp on the island, you’ll need to make your reservations six months in advance.
Campsites at Dry Tortugas are available only on Garden Key. There are ten campsites, and you can stay for up to three nights.
You must book your transportation either by ferry, tour guide, or private vessel. Seaplanes don’t offer transport for campers.
Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a charcoal grill. There are composting toilets on the island; these are closed when the Yankee Freedom ferry is docked (usually from 10 AM – 3 PM). At this time, campers can use the restrooms and the freshwater rinse on the ferry.
For more information on camping, visit the NPS website.
If you’re not a camper or you don’t want to stay on the island, you’ll want to stay in Key West. Since the ferry leaves bright and early (around 7 AM), staying in Key West the night before is your best option.
Warning: Key West is very expensive. Even the campsite we stayed at was over $100 per night. Here are some accommodations for a variety of budgets:
- Boyd’s Campground – This is where we stayed. The sites are extremely overpriced, but it was the cheapest accommodation we found.
- Havana Cabana Key West – budget hotel less than 3 miles from the ferry docks
- Margaritaville Beach House Key West – mid-range hotel 2.5 miles from the ferry docks
- Parrot Key Hotel & Villas – luxury hotel 2 miles from the ferry docks
See where Dry Tortugas ranks in my Florida National Parks Ranked Best to Worst!
What to Pack
For your day trip to Dry Tortugas, I’d bring the following items:
- Bathing suit >>> To swim and snorkel!
- Small packable beach towel >>> For a beach picnic and to dry off after swimming.
- GoPro >>> For epic underwater video.
- Sunglasses >>> To protect your eyes, of course.
- Sun hat >>> The sun is HOT in South Florida.
- Sunscreen >>> Reef-safe!
- Binoculars >>> To see all of the marine life from the ferry and island.
- Sport sandals >>> Something sturdy yet water-friendly.
- Change of clothes >>> You’ll be wet after swimming/snorkeling!
- Dry bag >>> To put all of your belongings in!
Best Things to Do in Dry Tortugas
From snorkeling and swimming to hiking around remote islands and fortresses, here are the can’t-miss things to do in Dry Tortugas!
Snorkel at Garden Key
Dry Tortugas has some of the best snorkeling in all of Florida.
While snorkeling, you could potentially see a variety of marine life from coral and octopus to jellyfish and barracuda.
In Garden Key, you can snorkel in three areas:
- North Coaling Dock Ruins. Located off North Swim Beach with pilings and a variety of fish.
- South Coaling Dock Ruins. Requires a swim from South Swim Beach to the pilings. Great for coral viewing.
- Moat Wall near South Swim Beach. Great for beginners. Calm and shallow waters. Many tropical fish and historical artifacts.
The ferry provides each passenger with FREE use of snorkel equipment during the duration of the island visit: snorkels, fins, and masks.
Go Swimming
Along the shores of the island are wide swaths of sandy beaches. Dip your toes into the foamy waves or go for a refreshing swim in the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Paddle to Loggerhead Key
If you’re staying overnight on Garden Key, a fun way to pass the time would be to paddle to Loggerhead Key!
Loggerhead Key is the largest of the seven islands in Dry Tortugas National Park and is located 3 miles west of Garden Key.
To kayak to Loggerhead, you’ll first need to reserve a kayak camping permit. These sell out extremely quickly!
If you are one of the lucky ones to get to camp and paddle in Dry Tortugas, remember to bring a permit, a PFD (Personal Floatation Device), a signaling device (typically a whistle and/or hand-held mirror), and a portable VHF radio.
Explore Fort Jefferson
The Fort Jefferson Loop is the only hiking trail on the island that’s open year-round. And while the official hiking trail is carved onto the top level of the military fortress, all three levels are worth exploring.
The levels are separated by curved stone steps.
The first and second levels are constructed with unfinished brick walls and windows that make it easy to take in your surroundings, both on the landside and waterside. Peer out of the windows, sit on one of the many window ledges perched on the edge of the structure, and draw in the views of the turquoise water.
The top level gives you a great vantage point of the entire island, and you’ll be able to see the endless sea stretching into the horizon no matter which way you turn.
Be careful as you wander the different levels of the fort. The trail on top of the fort is cut pretty close to the edge in some places, and the window ledges and walls are unfinished and unprotected. Falling is very possible, so keep a close eye on your children, and always watch your step.
Explore Bush Key
Bush Key was my favorite experience in the entire park! The island is only accessible between October and January, so most visitors won’t get to explore it.
The NPS closes the island to the public from February through September to allow the sooty terns and brown noddies (birds) to nest and raise their young on this 20-acre island.
Depending on the shifting sands and changing landscape, the island can be accessed either by foot or by kayak. If you get the pleasure of visiting the park when the island is open and accessible on foot, please take advantage and stroll around it!
As you walk the mile loop around the margin of the island, you will glimpse coastal dunes, sand beaches, washed-up coral, an array of marine life, and even many rare birds that aren’t found anywhere else in the continental United States.
Want to plan an epic road trip to see all three Florida National Parks – Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas? Read my guide!
Finish Planning Your Trip to Dry Tortugas
Make trip planning a breeze with the help of my guides!
- 7 Key Things to Know Before Visiting Dry Tortugas
- Getting to Dry Tortugas: Seaplane or Ferry?
- Should You Visit Dry Tortugas in January? Yes! Here’s Why
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Biscayne National Park
- Everglades National Park
- US Virgin Islands
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- East Tennessee Waterfalls Road Trip Itinerary
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